Share this:

Former 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich left for Mobile, Alabama this week, resume in hand, with the goal of finding himself a job. Mobile is the site of the Senior Bowl, a place where coaches, general managers, scouts and agents converge to look at players and hunt for opportunities.

It didn’t take long before Ulbrich landed a position as a special teams assistant with the rival Seahawks under their new coach, Pete Carroll. According to Ulbrich, it’s a cherry position. Carroll is the next new thing in the NFL, with his National Championship resume, infectious enthusiasm and penchant for helping young coaches. Those looking for an NFL coaching job flooded to Carroll hoping to get hired.

Jeff Ulbrich will begin his coaching career in Seattle.

“I feel very fortunate,” said Ulbrich, who’s 10-year playing career ended abruptly after he sustained a concussion in September while covering a kickoff against the Rams. “I’m fired up about the opportunity.”

Ulbrich is a born coach, something he’s wanted to do even before he started playing. He’s also smart, motivated, inspirational and has reams of notes on coaching that he’s compiled over the years. Makes you wonder why the 49ers passed him up.

Actually, they didn’t. They are filled. Ulbrich didn’t have the experience to replace special teams coordinator Al Everest, whose contract wasn’t renewed for personal reasons. Everest was eventually hired by the Steelers.

Ulbrich needed to start as an assistant to an assistant coach or as a quality control man (a guy who breaks down video and comes up with trends and statistics). The 49ers have those positions locked up, including their assistant special teams coach job, which is ably filled by the well-thought-of Dave Fipp. In fact, Fipp, might see his influence increase this year because he knows the players and he’ll be coaching under Kurt Schottenheimer, who hasn’t coached special teams since 1994.

So, I’m sure many will wish Ulbrich limited luck and success (he is going to Seattle after all). But hopefully this won’t be the last time Ulbrich is employed by the 49ers.